Looking Back with Pride
Mumbai: On November 26 evening, the Chembur Education Society’s large ground witnessed an emotional reunion of senior Sangh swayamsevaks from all over the metro city and beyond. Most were in their late 60s and 70s. But their love and respect for the RSS were visible in myriad ways. When the Sangh’s saffron flag was hoisted and the ‘prarthana’ was chanted in unison, it was touching to see a senior swayamsevak suffering from Parkinson’s standing up with difficulty and performing the salute.
Almost a thousand swayamsevaks heard the speakers with rapt attention. Senior Pracharak Shri Madhubhai Kulkarni recalled how the family of Dr Hedgewar, who had returned to Nagpur from Calcutta after completing his medical education, urged him to get married. But the founder of the RSS had no time for marriage. He was tormented by the question of Hindus’ enslavement despite having a galaxy of brave kings like Chhatrapati Shivaji. It was then he decided to establish an organisation of volunteers for whom the nation came first. His illustrious successor Shri Guruji spread the vision of Dr Hedgewar far and wide.
Shri Madhubhai recalled how during the 1962 War with China, even the police had abandoned Arunachal Pradesh. It was the RSS volunteers of Tezpur and Bomdila who decided to die on Indian soil rather than run away. Their patriotism was publicly acknowledged by none other than Pandit Nehru who declared that the intense patriotism of the RSS volunteers was no less than that of our soldiers!!
Senior RSS leader Shri Bhaskarrao Mundle was emotionally moved to meet so many senior swayamsevaks at a place. He recalled how senior socialist leader Dr Kumar Saptarshi openly acknowledged at Yerawada jail the intellectual prowess of the late Shri Balasaheb Deoras. Dr Saptarshi and Shri Deorasji were among the countless number of persons arrested during the Emergency.
Veteran swayamsevak Shri Ratnakar Bhagwat recalled how as a 17 year old student he was arrested by the police for opposing the ban on RSS in 1948. He recalled how RSS leader Dr Chitale removed his coat and shirt and spread them on the floor for other imprisoned swayamsevaks to sleep on the floor in Kulaba jail. Later, Shri Bhagwat was incarcerated along with 1400 swayamsevaks in cramped barracks in Bombay where maggot-infested chapatees and the saltless food was served.
Shri Rameshbhai Mehta of the VHP narrated how his home at Juhu had become a safe house for several senior RSS leaders who were opposing the Emergency from underground. n
Humanitarian Service by the VHP
Silvasa: Dadonti Apeto, a girl of Tripura doing a job in Silvasa, was admitted in Silvasa Civil Hospital following dengue fever. During the treatment, she passed away on November 18. A friend of Dadonti named Milanjay Reang living in Silvasa approached a VHP worker, Shivram Reang, and sought his help in sending Dadonti’s dead body to her native place in Tripura. Shivram conveyed the whole story to the VHP’s Kshetra organising secretary Shri Rohitbhai Dar, who in turn told him the contact Vapi Vibhag VHP president Shri Jineshbhai Nahar.
Shivram explained Shri Nahar the whole matter. Shri Nahar immediately swung into action with his Team. He immediately arranged an ambulance to carry the dead body of Dadonti from Civil Hospital Silvasa to Mumbai airport. Not only this, Shri Nahar also made arrangement to send her corpse from Mumbai airport to Agartala airport by air on November 19.Then the body was handed over to Apeto’s relatives. The VHP workers bore all the expenses for this transportation. Milanjay Reang and the family members of Dadonti Apeto were deeply touched by this humanitarian service of the VHP. They expressed thanks to the entire VHP team who made this arrangement. n
Coffee Table Book on RSS
Nagpur: RSS Sarkaryavah Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi on November 21 released a Coffee Table Book on RSS at Chitanvis Centre. The book has been published by RSS. Noted industrialist of Pune Shri Abhay Firodia was chief guest at function.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi said such a book has been published after 92 year of RSS foundation. During these years many allegations have been leveled against the RSS but it continued to work peacefully disregarding all the allegations and accusations. If one wants to know the RSS, one should join its activities directly. But those who cannot join the daily activities can have a glimpse from this book.
Shri Firodia said he is a not a Sangh swayamsevak, but maintained cordial relations with many swayamsevaks. “RSS swayamsevaks never indulge in self-publicity. The society is mostly aware of the good works being done by the Sangh swayamsevaks. The commitment and dedication to the work is worth emulating. Such a book was direly needed to acquaint the people with the Sangh,” he said explaining the meaning of three words ‘Rashtriya’ ‘Swayamsevak’ and ‘Sangh’ in very simple language. RSS Akhil Bharatiya Sah Sampark Pramukh Shri Arun Kumar introduced the book. Mahanagar Sanghachalak Shri Rrajesh Loya was also present on the occasion. n
One crore saplings in Karnataka
Bengaluru: First phase of the ‘Koti Vruksha Abhiyan’ (one crore sapling initiative) concluded on November 25. The campaign was conducted by Samartha Bharata from June 5 to August 15 across Karnataka. Nearly 125 voluntary organisations of the state were felicitated for their contributions during the campaign.
Eminent scientist Dr TV Ramachandra of IISc, RSS Prant Karyavah Shri N Tippeswamy, Prant Sewa Pramukh and mentor of Kotivruksha Abhiyan Ganapati Hegade, Tree Doctor Vijay Nishant, Shri Krishna Gouda of Samartha Bharata addressed the gathering. Volunteers from various social organisations working on ecological conservation applauded the Abhiyan.
During the Abhiyan a total of 14,09,921 saplings were planted. Also 52,20,550 seedballs were prepared and 44,82,830 were tossed. A total of 28,011 volunteers registered for the campaign. A total 368 voluntary organisations joined the campaign. The planting was done at suitable public bare places or open fields and also at private lands of persons and institutions, at all Taluks of Karnataka. Hence the campaign has reached all Taluks. Plants, which ecologically play a significant role, were selected for the campaign. From students to Techies, from street vendors to software professionals, Movie Personalities to Journalists were part of the campaign supported by several Schools, Colleges, NGOs, Corporate companies, local youth organisations, Temple trusts, Ecological forums and also thousands of volunteers at individual scale. n
Hindu-Buddhist View to Ensure Peace in the World
Bangkok: “The world today is suffering from terrorism, economic breakdowns, climatic change and many more troubles. The Hindu-Buddhist ideology is highly relevant in resolving the problems and ensure peace and happiness in the world,” said RSS Sahsarkaryavah Shri Suresh Soni. He was addressing the Hindu Chetana Sangam organised by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Thailand at Minder Pattana School.
Shri Soni said that wherever Europeans went, they colonised the people and made them slaves. In the same way, wherever Arabs went, they tried to enforce their religion by terror. But Indian saints and Buddhist Monks approached the world with the message of peace. The Hindu-Budhist philosophy is based on knowledge and, hence it lays the foundation for a tolerant society.
The function began with lighting the lamp by Sri Gurumukh Singh, founder president of Indian Association of Thailand. Bhisma Phramon Rangsikul, the Royal priest of Thailand, also attended the function as a guest. He said the most significant cultural contribution of India, for which Thailand is greatly indebted to India, is “Buddhism’.
Shri Mahesh Kumar, Karyavah of the HSS Thailand, briefed about the important activities organised by HSS. Shri Vijay Sharma, Sanghachalak of the HSS Thailand, also spoke. About 500 swayamsevaks from various shakhas participated. n
75 Years of Dedicated Life
Amrit Mahotsava of Goa Governor Smt Mridula Sinha
New Delhi: Noted Hindi literary personality, writer, novelist and Governor of Goa Smt Mridula Sinha was showered best wishes by her well wishers, BJP workers and people from literary world on November 27 at a function held as part of her Amrit Mahotsav. On this occasion two books and also the special issue of ‘Panchava Stambha’, the magazine started by her eleven years ago were released. One of the books is Ahilya Uvaach, which is a novel on Devi Ahilya. Apart from discussing the life of Ahilya, the novel focuses on the modern day problems faced by the couples. Another book is ‘Sahajata ki Bhavyata’ which is a compilation of articles by 175 writers on Mridula Sinha. Ahilya Uvaach and Sahajata ki Bhavyata have been published by Prabhat Prakashan, New Delhi.
Addressing the gathering Uttar Pradesh Governor Shri Ram Naik said books are important source of knowledge and they are also the best medium of character building. He said the significance of the quality literature authored by Smt Sinha cannot be explained in words. Even if one talks to her one learns something useful. “She does anything new in her life everyday. Her novel Ahilya Uvaach should be a must read for the young generation couples, he added.
Smt Sinha on this occasion recalled the old days when she started writing in late 1970s. She said in her latest novel Ahilya Uvaach she has tried to pick up the qualities which can guide the present generation. She hoped that the novel would give a new direction to the married life of the young couples. Prior to her speech, she was felicitated by various people including Dr Bindeshwari Pathak who also announced to purchase 1000 copies of the book and distribute among his staff members. n
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